Laser scanning microscope

Abstract

There is disclosed a laser scanning microscope including a first optical scanning system which scans a first laser light for observing a sample on the sample, a first light branch device which branches the light from the sample from an optical path of the first laser light, a photodetector which detects the light from the sample, separated by the first light branch device, a second optical scanning system which irradiates a specific portion on the sample with a second laser light for stimulating or operating the sample, and a wavelength selection device which is disposed between the first light branch device and photodetector and which includes a first function of transmitting a desired observation light and a second function of limiting transmission of the second laser light.

1. A laser scanning microscope comprising:
 a first optical scanning system which scans a first laser light for observing a sample on the sample; 
 a first light branch device which separates a light from the sample from an optical path of the first laser light; 
 at least one photodetector which detects the light from the sample separated by the first light branch device; 
 a second optical scanning system which irradiates a specific portion on the sample with a second laser light for stimulating or operating the sample; and 
 a wavelength selection device which is disposed between the first light branch device and the photodetector and which has a first function of transmitting a desired observation light and a second function of limiting transmission of the second laser light; 
 wherein the second optical scanning system is attachable and detachable with respect to a main body of the laser scanning microscope that includes the first optical scanning system. 
 
     
     
       2. A laser scanning microscope comprising:
 a first optical scanning system which scans a first laser light for observing a sample on the sample; 
 a first light branch device which separates a light from the sample from an optical path of the first laser light; 
 at least one photodetector which detects the light from the sample separated by the first light branch device; 
 a second optical scanning system which irradiates a specific portion on the sample with a second laser light for stimulating or operating the sample; and 
 a wavelength selection device which is disposed between the first light branch device and the photodetector and which has a first function of transmitting a desired observation light and a second function of limiting transmission of the second laser light; 
 wherein the wavelength selection device comprises an interference filter. 
 
     
     
       3. The laser scanning microscope according to  claim 1 , wherein the desired observation light is a fluorescence excited by the first laser light. 
     
     
       4. The laser scanning microscope according to  claim 1 , wherein a transmittance of the second laser light by the wavelength selection device is not more than 0.01%. 
     
     
       5. The laser scanning microscope according to  claim 1 , wherein the wavelength selection device comprises:
 at least one first interference filter which performs the first function; and 
 at least one second interference filter which performs the second function. 
 
     
     
       6. The laser scanning microscope according to  claim 5 , further comprising:
 a wavelength change section which changes a wavelength of the second laser light; and 
 a filter change section which changes the second interference filter in accordance with the wavelength of the second laser light. 
 
     
     
       7. The laser scanning microscope according to  claim 5 , wherein:
 the at least one photodetector comprises a plurality of photodetectors and the at least one first interference filter comprises a plurality of first interference filters; 
 a second light branch device which splits the light from the sample toward the photodetectors is disposed between the first light branch device and the photodetectors; 
 the second interference filter is disposed between the first and second light branch devices; and 
 the first interference filters are disposed between the respective photodetectors and the second light branch device. 
 
     
     
       8. A laser scanning microscope comprising:
 a first optical scanning system which scans a first laser light for observing a sample on the sample; 
 a first light branch device which separates a light from the sample from an optical path of the first laser light; 
 at least one photodetector which detects the light from the sample separated by the first light branch device; 
 a second optical scanning system which irradiates a specific portion on the sample with a second laser light for stimulating or operating the sample; and 
 a wavelength selection device which is disposed between the first light branch device and the photodetector and which has a first function of transmitting a desired observation light and a second function of limiting transmission of the second laser light; 
 wherein the wavelength selection device comprises:
 at least one first interference filter which performs the first function; and 
 at least one second interference filter which performs the second function. 
 
 
     
     
       9. The laser scanning microscope according to  claim 8 , wherein:
 the at least one photodetector comprises a plurality of photodetectors and the at least one first interference filter comprises a plurality of first interference filters; 
 a second light branch device which splits the light from the sample toward the photodetectors is disposed between the first light branch device and the photodetectors; 
 the second interference filter is disposed between the first and second light branch devices; and 
 the first interference filters are disposed between the respective photodetectors and the second light branch device. 
 
     
     
       10. The laser scanning microscope according to  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a wavelength change section which changes a wavelength of the second laser light; and 
 a filter change section which changes the second interference filter in accordance with the wavelength of the second laser light. 
 
     
     
       11. The laser scanning microscope according to  claim 8 , wherein a transmittance of the second laser light by the wavelength selection device is not more than 0.01%. 
     
     
       12. The laser scanning microscope according to  claim 8 , wherein the second laser light is an ultraviolet or infrared light. 
     
     
       13. The laser scanning microscope according to  claim 8 , wherein the desired observation light is a fluorescence excited by the first laser light.